A local journalist was killed as a car of an upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) hit his motorbike in Natore on Monday.
The victim, Sohel Ahmed Jibon, 30, worked as a local correspondent of The Daily Duranta Sangbad. He was also a teacher of Bandar School and College in Singra upazila.
The accident took place in front of Ningoin Filling Station in the upazila around 10:30am, police said.
“The government vehicle assigned for Naldanga UNO Sukhmoy Sarker hit the motorcycle of Sohel, who was on the way to his workplace,” Singra police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Noor-e-Alam Siddique said.
The critically injured journalist was rushed to Singra Upazila Health Complex from where he was shifted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH).
Sohel succumbed to his injuries around 1:00pm while undergoing treatment at RMCH, the OC added.
According to the locals and the deceased’s family, during the accident, the UNO’s car was being used by his wife, Manoshi Dutta Moumita, which is unlawful as these vehicles are prohibited from being used for personal purposes.
UNO Sukhmoy, however, regretted the incident and claimed that the car was not being used by his wife, a teacher of Gol-E-Afroz Government College in Singra.
Talking to The Business Post, he said, “My wife always uses public transport, and that day was no different. She took a mode of public transport to get to her workplace around 9:00am.”
He said there was no one other than the driver in the vehicle when the accident took place.
“The accident occurred when my driver went to take fuel after dropping me off at my office.”
Echoing the UNO’s claim, Jhalmalia highway police outpost OC Rezwanul Islam said that they have not received any allegations concerning the vehicle being used by the UNO’s wife on the day.
“However, an investigation is going on and we will be able to comment on the matter after completion of the investigation,” he added.
